WATFORD 0, LEEDS 1 (Naylor 6)

Watford: Loach, Doyley, Taylor, Mariappa, Hodson, Eustace, McGinn (Buckley 64), Cowie, Mutch, Deeney Sordell. Subs: Gilmartin, Henderson, Bennett, Jenkins, Walker, Bryan,

Leeds: Schmeichel, Connolly, Naylor, Collins, Bessone (Hughes 46), Sam (Gradel 60), Howson, Kilkenny, Johnson, Becchio, Watt (McCormack 70) . Subs: Bruce, Higgs, Clayton,  Somma.

Referee: J Linington

Booked: Watt, Howson, Schmeichel (Leeds)

Att: 14.039 (2199 Leeds)

EXtended highlights available from Sunday evening...

      

United manager Simon Grayson named an unchanged side from the one which beat Millwall last time out, and his squad was further styrengthened by the presence of new signing Ross McCormack, who was among the subs.

But it was Luciano Becchio who forced the first save of the game when Scott Loach tipped over a firm header from a Neil Kilkenny corner.

Bradley Johnson and Jonny Howson both had shots blocked from the resultant corner and when the ball came back into the box, Richard Naylor was on hand to stab the ball over the line from close range to make it 1-0.

It was a great start for Leeds, but Watford responded immediately by carving out an opening that led to an unmarked Marvin Sordell heading over Kasper Schmeichel's bar.

Around 2,400 United fans packed into the away end belting out chorus and chorus of last season's anthem "Leeds are going up" as the travelling army continued to enjoy what has been an entertaining start to life in the Championship.

Lloyd Sam, back from injury, carved out the next chance on 14 minutes when his cross from the right was headed wide by Sanchez Watt. United were playing some good football once again and were a threat going forward.

Watford were on the back foot, but on the break, Sordell played in Troy Deeney who tested the advancing Schmeichel. The United keeper also spread himself well to deny Sordell, but more significantly he was causing Watford major problems at the other end with his powerful kicking.

Watford did enjoy a spell of possession leading up to half-time and Schmeichel was called upon to make another decent save, this time from a John Eustace header.

It hadn't been the most entertaining 45 minutes, but United went in at the interval with the advantage. Grayson made a change at half-time with Andrew Hughes replacing Fede Bessone at left-back.

The second half continued in the same vein as the first with little for either set of fans to get excited about. Schmeichel was called into action early on, but only to make a routine collection from a Deeney header following a cross from the right. The Dane also smothered a low drive from distance from Jordon Mutch.

The game also started to be littered with free-kicks and Naylor headed clear one such set-play.

On the hour, Grayson made his second change with Max Gradel replacing Sam on the right flank.

But Leeds were on the defensive again when Schmeichel hammered the ball clear after Don Cowie battled with Hughes on the United left.

United had been under some pressure, but the response came when Gradel had a shot deflected and when Johnson seized on the loose ball there were shouts for a handball.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, Grayson handed McCormack his Leeds United debut, and the striker immediately made a nuisance of himself as Loach was forced into making a save. 

The game was becoming increasingly stop-start, Loach was ordered back five yards when taking a free-kick, and both sets of fans were venting their frustrations.

McCormack, pictured above, also forced Loach into a hasty rearguard action when he look to turn the ball goalwards from close range. Becchio was crowded out while trying to seize on the loose ball.

But it was Schmeichel who had to be alert moments later when Martin Taylor back-headed towards goal.

United were again having to get men behind the ball, Naylor and Collins both making good headed clearances, yet Leeds always looked capable on the break, and Loach had to save a deflected effort from McCormack on 82 minutes.

The new signing looked lively and keen to make an impression and had a free-kick blocked as the game headed towards the final whistle. 

He also played a key role in teeing up Johnson who fired wide of the mark in the first minuite of time added on as Leeds looked to make the game safe.

United did come under some more pressure, but some resolute defending ensured a hard-fought forst away win of the season.